Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 12/21/2025 Newscast

Main Theme:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of major U.S. and global news headlines as of December 21, 2025, including American military retaliation against ISIS, controversy over renaming the Kennedy Center, U.S.-Russia peace talks, escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions, economic outlook debates, the winter solstice, and a record-setting Powerball jackpot.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes ISIS in Syria

• [00:03] Anchor Chris Dimaio opens with:
  • "American revenge. I'm Chris Dimaio, Fox News. The U.S. striking more than 70 ISIS targets in Syria."
• [00:11] Correspondent Madeleine Rivera reports on the background:
  • The strike fulfills the president’s pledge after an ISIS ambush in Palmyra killed two Iowa National Guard members—Sgt. Edgar Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nate Howard—and their civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
  • Dignified transfer ceremony held at Dover Air Force Base, attended by the President and Secretary of War.
  • Quote: “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says this is not the beginning of a war. It is a declaration of vengeance.” (Rivera, 00:37)
  • Jordan confirms its air force participated; no casualty figures disclosed yet.

2. Kennedy Center Renaming Controversy

• [00:45] Protests erupted in D.C. over renaming the Kennedy Center:
  • Group "Hands Off the Arts" opposes plans to rename it as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
• [01:11] Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen at the protest:
  • Quote: “We've got a president who doesn't respect the arts. All he respects is cash from his donors and billionaire buddies. He's in office to enrich himself and his family and the billionaires who were standing behind him when he was sworn in on Inauguration Day.” (Van Hollen, 01:11)
  • The Trump-appointed board voted for the name change, though Democrats argue only Congress has authority to enact it.
  • President Trump says he was “honored and surprised” by the move.

3. U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

• [01:31] U.S. and Russian officials convene in Florida for discussions to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
  • Russia characterizes the talks as “constructive.”
  • Brief report, no detailed outcomes disclosed.

4. South Africa Mass Shooting

• [01:44] Brief international news flash:
  • Nine people reported dead in a Johannesburg shooting.

5. U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuela

• [03:04] U.S. seizes second oil tanker amid tightening sanctions:
  • The U.S. Coast Guard and military seize a tanker, Venezuela claims it was private; accuses the U.S. of “theft and kidnapping.”
  • President Trump orders “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers; designates Maduro’s government as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
  • Land strikes against Venezuelan drug operations are reportedly being considered.

6. U.S. Economic Outlook Debate

• [03:40] Fox poll: Majority of voters view the economy negatively.
  • Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) urges “patience” in an interview:
    • Quote: “We have the largest economy in the world and he's turning it as hard as he can. But it still takes a mile to turn around the aircraft carrier and we're going to get there and no one could do it faster than President Trump.” (Mullin, 03:53)
  • Democrats blame rising prices on tariffs imposed by Trump.

7. Winter Solstice

• [04:12] Science segment with Chris Foster:
  • Today is the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.
  • Examples of daylight hours: Miami (10.5), Salt Lake City (9), Seattle (8), Fairbanks (3.5), Arctic Circle (0).
  • Quote: “Solstice in Latin essentially means sun standing still before the process reverses and days start getting longer.” (Foster, 04:32)

8. Powerball Lottery Update

• [04:39] No winner in last night’s drawing:
  • Jackpot increases to $1.6 billion with a $735.3 million cash prize—now the fifth largest in U.S. history.
  • Next drawing set for Monday evening.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is not the beginning of a war. It is a declaration of vengeance.”
  — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth via Madeleine Rivera ([00:37])
• “We've got a president who doesn't respect the arts. All he respects is cash from his donors and billionaire buddies.”
  — Senator Chris Van Hollen ([01:11])
• “We have the largest economy in the world and he's turning it as hard as he can. But it still takes a mile to turn around the aircraft carrier…”
  — Senator Markwayne Mullin ([03:53])
• “Solstice in Latin essentially means sun standing still before the process reverses and days start getting longer.”
  — Chris Foster ([04:32])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – U.S. strikes ISIS in Syria
• 00:45 – Kennedy Center protest and renaming debate
• 01:31 – U.S.-Russia-Ukraine peace talks
• 01:44 – South Africa shooting report
• 03:04 – U.S.-Venezuela oil tanker seizures/blockade
• 03:40 – Economic outlook, Senator Mullin’s interview
• 04:12 – Winter solstice explained
• 04:39 – Powerball jackpot update

Tone:
Straightforward and direct, the episode emphasizes facts with brief commentary and pointed soundbites from newsmakers and officials, in keeping with Fox News Radio’s fast-paced and assertive style.